Footage shared by residents and passers-by on social media shows police officers storming bars and using unnecessary force on people in the area, in Exarchia, Athens.

According to a report by public broadcaster ERT, around half past midnight, a group of individuals threw stones and bottles at police stationed outside the PASOK party offices on Charilaou Trikoupi Street, with a parked vehicle catching fire during the incident.

The police response, as captured in widely circulated videos, appears excessively violent. Officers were seen attacking bar patrons, smashing outdoor furniture, and making arrests without clear justification.

Witnesses and reports claim that police broke into bars, assaulted local residents, and detained anyone who tried to protest or question their actions.

 

Police remain silent on allegations of excessive force

The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) have so far remained silent regarding the allegations of indiscriminate violence. In an official statement, they claimed that shortly before 12:30 am, a group of individuals attempted unsuccessfully to enter the Law School building. Officers reportedly pushed them back and carried out several detentions.

Later on, at around 2 am, EL.AS. stated that people gathered at cafés in Exarchia threw stones, bottles, and various objects at riot police units patrolling the area. As they claim, three officers were injured and taken to the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens for medical treatment.

Marinakis: “It’s the police’s job to arrest troublemakers”

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis defended the police response, saying:

“Three officers were injured in Exarchia. They were reacting to attacks from lawbreakers, and they did their job. The police are there to arrest those who throw bottles, stones, and damage vehicles or public property – whether that’s in Exarchia or anywhere else.”

He continued:

“This situation needs to be assessed seriously because the consequences are serious. A few isolated incidents – and I believe they are very few, far fewer than what a small segment of the media would have us believe – cannot define the police as a whole. The police are doing their job, especially in recent times, and their job is to protect society from lawlessness and violent disruptors.”

When asked about the videos circulating online that appear to show officers assaulting civilians, he added:

“If there are isolated incidents that need to be investigated, they will be. But the police were responding to a serious situation. Three officers were injured – they didn’t injure themselves. If someone stepped out of line, it will be dealt with. But in a serious country, there’s no place for lawlessness, no zones of impunity.”

Opposition reacts

SYRIZA: “A shocking display of police brutality”

In a strongly worded statement, opposition party SYRIZA accused the government of authoritarian overreach:

“Once again, individual rights are being trampled by a government that, the more it talks about ‘security’, the deeper it sinks into repression – inventing enemies where there are none.”

They went on:

“The footage and eyewitness reports point to a prolonged and unacceptable show of force, with no regard for justice or citizens’ rights. Anyone who dared to speak out about what was happening was treated as guilty.”

New Left: “Mr. Chrysochoidis, get a grip on your forces”

The New Left party also condemned the events:

“Last night’s scenes in Exarchia – with MAT and DRASI units smashing up shops and violently attacking people simply out having a drink – looked more like an occupying force than a police presence in a European capital on a Saturday night.”

They concluded:

“This government’s showy ‘Law and Order’ campaign, bringing riot police into neighbourhoods and universities like hooligans, is dangerous and must be stopped. Mr Chrysochoidis, get your forces under control.”

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